I have no impulse control.

So I told myself I couldn't buy or check out any books.

About Time directed by Richard Curtis

I saw this movie in theaters and was completely surprised by how much I loved it. I thought it was going to be the normal rom com, but boy was I wrong. There were so many scenes that made me grin so wide that my cheeks hurt. Then there were the brutally honest sad scenes that practically forced the tears out of you. I couldn't help but run out to my local Target the day this DVD came out. No regrets.

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

I picked this up off the shelf on a whim at my school library. I thought, "It's not a real novel. It'll only take me a half hour to fly through it." This was my reasoning for reading this instead of something from my huge TBR pile. The pictures are gorgeous, though some of them do seem a bit staged. There were some peculiar bits throughout where I couldn't tell if there were mistakes or hidden mysteries. As a reader you can take this stories a few different ways, which I find that I kind of like. It is what you make of it.

                                                           

Every Day by David Levithan

I just finished this book last night and I can't complain too much. It never fully grabbed my attention, but that probably can't be completely blamed on the book. Distractions and stuff. I really liked some of the bodies he wrote from the perspective of. It allowed the audience to actually get a feel of the people, if only for a day. The main point to this book is the romance, and I guess I just didn't get to into it. I didn't like the main female character Rhiannon, so I was never really rooting for their relationship to work out. I think Levithan ended the novel nicely, if not a little bit abruptly. It was done the way that felt right, not too forced. Overall, it wasn't bad, but it's not my favorite of the year so far.

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson

Can I start this off my stating how much I despise actual people on the covers of books. I carried this book around with me cover down while I read in public. I absolutely hate this cover.Ugh. Rant over.

Despite my hate for the cover, I really loved the story inside. I needed a light and easy read as a break from school, and that's exactly what this was. It was full of little heartwarming scenes with just enough action to keep the readers from being bored. Plus, it's set on a boat at sea. I'm a sucker for those kind of stories. It was very cute, and I would recommend this to anyone as a great summer read. Or a winter read. There is snow where I live. A lot of it. 

 Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

I can't say too much about this book because I'm only about 30 pages in. So far it's alright, nothing terrible. I like the style of the story. It's a change from the normal. This is told from the perspective of a male lead, and usually I don't really like reading from their perspective. I don't really know why, but hopefully this book will change my mind.

Reality Boy  by A.S. King

I haven't even started this book yet, but I can't wait. I have been dying to read something by A.S. King because of all hype over the past month or two. Hopefully this lives up to my expectations.

This Star Won't Go Out  by Esther Earl, Lori Earl, Wayne Earl, and John Green

This was another one I couldn't resist at Target. I'm about a fourth of the way through and I absolutely love it. I predict tears in the future. If you don't know, this is the story of a girl who died of thyroid cancer. John Green dedicated The Fault in Our Stars to her. The book is a composition of her journals, writings, and the other things that made up her life. Make sure to pick it up if you see it on a shelf.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandria Bracken

Goodreads summary:

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her-East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Oh man. This book. I don't even know where to start.I guess I can just get my raving about the author, Alex Bracken, out of the way. She seems like an absolutely wonderful person.  Plus, she has a tumblr! Can she get any better? Why yes, she can. She also works in publishing, which is my dream job.  Overall, I'm a fan.

So, into the book. One major thing that I loved was the road trip aspect. They always pull me in. I felt like extraordinary things could happen because they were in their own little bubble of a world. Or a beat up old minivan. Same thing.  I'm not rational.

I also absolutely fell in love with all of the characters. I can't even put my feelings for Liam into words.  He one of my favorite male characters that I've read about in a while. He is very straightforward about his feelings and emotions. He wasn't confusing or frustrating to read about.  About the main character, Ruby- she was likable, but also flawed and real. She wasn't weak and vulnerable all of the time, but she also wasn't a robot. Nothing annoys me more than a leading female who is too strong and independent. It just doesn't seem real. They seem like robots. Not saying that I like weak female leads. Don't get me started on them.

One of the books villians, Clancy Gray, reminded me very much of The Darkling from the Shadow and Bone series. If you haven't read those already, what are you doing? Go. Now. Read them. I thought that there was going to be a love triangle for a chapter or two, but don't fret!  There is no love triangle, thank goodness. 

In general, this was a book that completely snagged my attention. I woke up one night at three in the morning for some reason and picked it up, thinking I'd read a few pages. I ended up staying up until eight thirty in the morning, because I couldn't stop until I had finished it. It is filled with wonderful action and sweet romance. I thought the world building was decent, though a little confusing at times.

The little sneak preview of the second book, Never Fade, had me hooked, so I grabbed that as soon as possible and zoomed through it. Now, I shall wait in agony for the third and final book.

While I wait, I need to read the novella that was released between the two books, In Time. I heard it's a tearjerker. I shall see. 

A+ to you Alex Bracken! I am officially a fan! I thought this book was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"Hi Darlin', missed you something fierce." 

"He's so busy looking inside  people to find the good he misses the knife they're holding in their hand"

 Chubs groaned. “Why are you so weird?”

_{"Because my weird has to be able to cancel out your weird, Lady Cross-stitch.”}